Double-blind study of possible proximity effect of sucrose on skeletal muscle strength

The hypotheses that close physical proximity to sucrose, without its ingestion, affects skeletal muscle strength and time between meals influences the direction of this effect, were tested. 28 college students performed 10 one-arm curls using the dominant arm, while either holding a bottle containing sucrose or sand in the free hand, without knowledge of which bottle was held. Data were first collected following an overnight fast. A week later, data were collected 1 hr. after these students had each consumed a bagel. During the fasting state, the mean maximal isometric strength while holding the bottle of sucrose was significantly greater than when holding a bottle of sand; however, no significant difference was found for the group tested after having consumed a bagel. Some possible explanations for these results are discussed, recognizing limitations imposed by lack of control for order of conditions and amount of experience.